Beyond The Carnival

Our Vision

To be one of the world’s leading jazz and blues festivals, celebrated for pushing creative boundaries and breaking down barriers to the discovery and celebration of music and carnival arts.

Our Purpose

To create and present a festival and year-round work that champions jazz, blues and carnival arts, and enriches the lives of all who engage with us.

Our Values

Creativity - We place creativity at the core of our practice

Resilience - We will always work to find innovative solutions to any problems that we may
encounter

Integrity - We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics and personal
responsibility

Sustainability - We acknowledge our responsibility towards
reducing the world’s carbon footprint

The principles of EDI are embraced throughout the organisation, extending from the Board of Trustees to staff and volunteers. There is a shared belief and commitment to actively implementing these values in the day-to-day operations of the company. Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival acknowledges that its primary objectives can only be fully realised if EDI principles drive all aspects of project inception, delivery, and development. The Board of Trustees and EDI advisory board lead on ensuring that equitable practices are considered through all aspects of the company’s work. The company regards diversity as its greatest strength, valuing all members of our communities for their unique perspectives and contributions. Our commitment to EDI enables us to propagate the idea that diversity is inextricably linked to creativity, maintaining the belief that a diverse workforce, programme, artists, and participants positively contribute to our creativity and innovation.

climate change to life, wellbeing, and social justice, particularly for future generations.

Acknowledging that these environmental challenges also pose a risk to the realisation of our event programming and long-term aspirations, we are dedicated to reducing our ecological footprint both at the heart of our core business practices and through our annual events. We aim to leverage our influence in the arts sector and broader society to advocate for meaningful policy changes that support environmental
sustainability. To lead by example within the cultural landscape, we will integrate sustainable strategies into every facet of our event lifecycles — from planning to operational execution. By prioritising the reduction of our carbon footprint, promoting sustainable practices, and actively contributing to the environmental health of the communities we serve, we aim to become a beacon of environmental stewardship in our sector.

The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival is committed to incorporating climate justice principles into our carbon reduction initiatives, recognising that those least responsible for climate change are disproportionately affected by its impacts. We acknowledge the limitations posed by an extractive economy but believe that access to arts and culture is crucial for driving systemic change. In our efforts to reduce carbon emissions, we maintain a focus on ensuring that our actions are equitable and do not adversely affect vulnerable groups. We are also acutely aware that the climate crisis is intrinsically linked to the rights of children, who will bear the brunt of the consequences from decisions made before their time. Therefore, our approach to carbon reduction is not just about meeting targets, but doing so in a manner that is fair, inclusive, and conscious of the legacy we leave for future generations.

Despite the inherent challenges in aligning
the presentation of international artists with our commitment to environmental sustainability, we at the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival remain steadfast in our belief that these two objectives can coexist harmoniously. We understand that showcasing talent from around the globe might seem at odds with our environmental goals, yet we view internationalism as a cornerstone of our festival's identity, driving both its commercial success and aspirational values. It is our conviction that by thoughtfully integrating sustainable practices
into every aspect of our events, we can honour our environmental responsibilities while still celebrating the diverse, global community that is fundamental to the spirit and success of the company.